A wool, cotton or man-made material sock worn over the residual limb (stump) designed to
provide cushion and help manage stump volume fluctuations.
What can stump socks do?
Stump socks, sometimes called prosthetic socks, can be used by amputees to provide a more
comfortable prosthetic fit, reduce friction, absorb perspiration by "wicking" moisture away from
the skin and last reduce discomfort associated with phantom pain. Reducing perspiration on
the skin will then reduce bacterial infections and common skin complaints.
Some amputees wear socks in combination with sheaths or with liners to get the best possible
fit, while others wear liners without socks. Some above-knee amputees have more tissue on
their residual limb to provide padding and do not need a sock for added comfort. Some
amputees also do not need to wear one if he or she is wearing a suction socket (the stump
has to be directly in contact with the socket in order for it to work).
What are stump socks made from?
Socks are available in various materials:
 | Wool - soft, full and absorbent. Now available in shrink-controlled and machine-washable | |
| yarn. | ||
| Cotton - easy to care for, can be bleached. Does not wick moisture away from the skin as | |
| well as wool. | ||
| Other Materials - other fabrics offer other qualities, some are - nylon for strength, acrylic | |
| for softness, polyester for resiliency, rayon for absorbency and Lycra spandex for elasticity. |
How do I wash my stump socks?
Stump socks need to be washed every day - you may need several different socks of different
thickness throughout the day if your stump changes in volume. Some socks can be machine-
washed but others need to be washed by hand. Here are a few tips:
| Make sure all soap is rinsed out to avoid irritation. | |
| Do not subject socks to excessive heat. | |
| To maintain the shape you can place a ball (same size as the sock) in the end of the sock. |
How often will I need to change my stump sock?
You could be adjusting your socks several times a day, but it all depends on the fluid changes
sock or change the thickness of the sock. Fluid changes are caused by excess heat in summer
weather, forgetting to wear you stump shrinker at night, letting the leg hang down without the
artificial leg on and extreme changes in your normal amount of daily activity. In general, socks
should be changed everyday or as soon as they become moist with perspiration.
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